Portable outlet extension and light



July 27, 1965 JENSEN 3,197,631

PORTABLE OUTLET EXTENSION AND LIGHT Filed June 24, 1963 FIG. I

INVEN TOR.

E L 117 Jensen.

B Y imm wmr/y m United States Patent 3,197,631 PQRTABLE @UTLET EXTENSION AND LIGHT Robert H. Jensen, Rte. 2, Box 128A, (iscoda, Mich; Lucille Elaine Jensen, executrix of said Robert H. .lensen, deceased Filed June 24, 1963, Ser. No. 290,075 4 Claims. (Cl. 240-81) This invention relats to a portable outlet extension and lighting device for anchoring in the ground, and more particularly to a device having a mobile base in which said device may be mounted when used in buildingsor on smooth floor areas, etc.

One of the prime objects of the invention is to design a portable standard which can be easily and quickly anchored in the ground, and which is equipped with a conventional electric outlet box for detachable connection to a suitable source of electrical energy or power supply so that power tools of any nature may be connected to said outlet box for use as desired.

Another object is to provide a flexibly mounted electric light socket on the standard for illuminating purposes which is of simple construction and efficient in use.

A further object is to provide a mobile base for the standard when used on a smooth, hard surface, and provide means in which the standard can be detachably mounted so that it is readily revolvabie, and the base rollable from one place to another as required.

Still a further object is to design a lightweight, sectional standard provided with lateraily projecting, sectional hooks welded thereto in vertically spaced apart relation, so that electric cord or wire can be readily and rapidly wound and/ or unwound therefrom as desired.

A further object still is to provide means for clamping the electric cord to the standard and eliminate shorts, disconnections, and kinking of the cord at the point of entry to the standard.

With the above and other objects in view, the present invention consists in the combination and arrangement of parts, hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawing, and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims; it being understood that changes may be made in the form, size, proportion and minor details of construction, without departing from the spirit, or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of my portable outlet extension and light showing it anchored in the ground.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary, perspective view showing the mobile base with the standard mounted thereon.

FIG. 3 is a sectional detail showing the standard socket.

PEG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary detail of the standard showing tool holders in position thereon.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary view of the standard showing the cord inlet, etc.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged, side elevational view showing the spring-tensioned section on the end of the hooks.

Referring now more particularly to the drawing in which I have shown the preferred embodiment of my invention. I

The letter L indicates a sectional standard formed in two sections, the lower section 8 terminating in a sharp pointed end 9, having a transversely disposed, elongated foot bracket ltl welded thereto at a point spaced above said pointed end. The upper standard section 11 is telescopically mounted in the section 8 (see FIG. 4 of the drawing), the lower end being reduced as at 12, said reduced end being telescopically accommodated in the open end of the section ti, and a conventional electrical outlet box 14 is welded to and forms an extension of section 11, and is provided with one or more plug outlets 15 as usual.

3,197,631 Ce Patented July 27, 1965 A relatively short, tubular extension member 16 is mounted in the upper end of the outlet box 14, and one end of a flexible tube 17 is connected thereto, said tube terminating in a conventional socket 118 in which a light bulb 19 is mounted and is provided with a shade 20 as usual.

A cord inlet opening or passage P is provided in the wall of the upper section 11 of the standard L, said passage being formed by making a transversely disposed cut 21 in the wall of the standard and then bending the metal, forcing the upper edge of the cut outwardly as at 22, and the metal on the lower edge of the cut inwardly as at 23, these edge sections 22 and 23 forming an inclined passage to accommodate the electric cord C which is threaded therethrough and connected to the outlet box 14 in the usual manner. A clamping strap 24 can then be placed across the cord C and secured to the standard L by means of screws 25 to firmly clamp the cord in position, preventing loosening or disconnection of the cord from the box terminal due to pull on the cord as the base is moved, and further preventing cutting and wear of the cord at the point of entry to the standard.

Horizontally disposed, vertically spaced-apart hooks 26-26 are welded to the upper section 11 of the standard L, the outer end of each hook having an extension 26a pivotally secured thereto by means of a pin 26!), the members 2 6 and 26a being shaped as at 2&0 to form a stop to limit the swinging action through an arc of and a spring 27 is anchored to the sections 25 and 26a to resi iently secure the extensions in horizontal or angularly adjusted positions. The extensions 26a are disposed horizontally when winding or unwinding the cord, but are disposed in opposed, vertical directions when the cord C is wound thereon and not in use.

A pair of tool holders 2328 are welded to a clamp member 29 which is clamped on the lower standard section 8 to minimize bending by the workman and have the tools within easy reach.

When the device is used outside on rough terrain, the workman spots the standard L in desired position, places his foot on the bracket 10, using his body weight to force the point downwardly until the bracket contact the surface of the ground to serve as an anchor and stabilizer against pulling action on the standard.

When using the apparatus on a smooth floor in a building, it cannot, of course, be anchored, and I therefore provide a mobile dolly member D formed with a centrally disposed hub 39 and spaced apart legs 31 secured thereto, conventional casters 32 being provided on the free end of each leg for easy turning and maneuverability. A vertically disposed, elongated, tubular socket member 33 is mounted in the hub 39, and depends below said hub, with a washer 34 welded in the lower end thereof, said tube accommodating the lower end of the standard with the pointed end 9 extending a predetermined distance through the opening 345 in the washer.

The operation of the device is the same in both instances, the only difference being in the means for holding the standard in upright position. To assemble, it is merely necessary to thread the electric cord 'C through passage P, connect the ends of the wire (not shown) to the outlet box 14, thread an electric wire (not shown) through the flexible tube 17 and connect to the outlet box and lamp socket respectively, apply the clamp strap 24 and then connect the plug 35 on the end of the electric cord C to the source of electrical energy. The device is now ready for operation, either by anchoring it in the ground, or by mounting the standard in the dolly D as above described.

When the device is set up for operation, the bulb 19 is utilized to provide good lighting when necessary, otherwise, it is disconnected. The outlet box 14 provides for the easy and quick connection it any power driven tool.

The device can be readily disassembled for compact storage, it is merely necessary to disconnect the plug 35, swing the hook extensions 26a to horizontal position to permit rapid winding or unwinding of the cord, after which the extensions are adjusted to vertical position to prevent unwinding or disconnection of the wire. Upon disconnection of the upper section 11 from the section 8, the device can be folded into a compact bundle for easy transportation or storage.

From the foregoing description, it will be readily understood that I have perfected a very simple, practical, and convenient portable outlet extension and lighting means, usab e either on the ground or on smooth floors for attachment of power actuated hand tools of all kinds.

What I claim is:

1. A portable outlet extension and lighting device the combination comprising: a sectional, hollow standard provided with a tapered, pointed lower end section; an elongated, horizontally disposed step provided on said standard and located a predetermined distance above said pointed end; an outlet box mounted on the upper end of the standard, said outlet box forming an extension of the standard and detachably connected to a source of electrical energy; a castered mobile dolly formed with a centrally disposed hub; a vertically disposed, tubular member mounted in said hub and formed with a centrally disposed opening of predetermined size in the bottom wall thereof into which the tapered lower end of the standard is inserted and held, and a lighting means flexibly connected to said outlet box.

2. The combination defined in claim 1 in which a transverse cut is provided in said hollow standard with the metal on the lower edge of the cut bent inwardly, and the metal on the upper edge of the cut being bent outwardly to form a smooth, inclined passa eway therebetween, and a clamp fitted over said cord and secured to said standard at a point of entrance to said passage for anchoring the electric cord firmly in position in the standard.

3. The combination set forth in claim 1 in which the lighting means comprises: a flexible tube mounted on the outlet box; a socket on the free end of said tube, said socket being electrical-1y connected to said outlet box, and an inclined passage leading into said hollow standard through which an electric cord leads to the source of electrical energy.

4. A portable outlet extension and lighting device, the combination comprising: a sectional, hollow standard formed with a tapered, sharpened lower end, an elongated, horizontally disposed step bracket rigidly mounted on the standard at a predetermined distance above said pointed end; an outlet box mounted on the upper end of said standard and connected to a source of electrical energy and to a light means which is universally connected to said box; vertica ly spaced, laterally projecting hooks mounted on said standard and formed with hinged spring tensioned extensions adjustable to horizontal and vertical positions; a dolly formed with centrally disposed hub; a tubular socket mounted in said hub, and an opening of predtermined size provided in the bottom of said socket and into which the tapered lower end section of the stand ard is inserted to limit downward travel of said standard therein.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 505,585 9/93 White. 1,222,915 4/17 Anderson. 2,3 60,420 10/ 44 Hill 2401.2 2,453,967 11/48 Browne. 2,667,571 1/54 Versen 248-73 3,104,064 9/63 Bellek 24011.2

FOREIGN PATENTS 757,221 10/51 Germany. 293,5 5 8 12/ 53 Switzerland.

NORTON ANSI-1BR, Primary Examiner. 

1. A PORTABLE OUTLET EXTENSION AND LIGHTING DEVICE THE COMBINATION COMPRISING: A SECTIONAL, HOLLOW STANDARD PROVIDED WITH A TAPERED, POINTED LOWER END SECTION; AND ELONGATED, HORIZONTALLY DISPOSED SEPT PROVIDED ON SAID STANDARD AND LOCATED A PREDETERMINED DISTANCE ABOVE SAID POINTED ENDF AN OUTLET BOX MOUNTED ON THE UPPER END OF THE STANDARD, SAID OULET BOX FORMING AN EXTENSION OF THE STANDARD AND DETACHABLY CONNECTED TO A SOURCE OF ELECTRICAL ENERGYF A CASTERED MOBILE DOLLY FORMED WITH A CENTRALLY DISPOSED HUBF A VERTICALLY DISPOSED, TUBULAR MEMBER MOUNTED IN SAID HUB AND FORMED WITH A CENTRALLY DISPOSED OPENING OF PREDETERMINED SIZE IN THE BOTTOM WALL THEREOF INTO WHICH THE TAPERED LOWER END OF THE STANDARD IS INSERTED AND HELD, AND A LIGHTING MEANS FLEXIBLY CONNECTED TO SAID OUTLET BOX. 